Classic Landscape Basics

Sunrise on Rabbit Mountain #2. Boulder County, Colorado, 2012

Ah, the landscape basics:

1) Something interesting in the foreground, middle ground, and background, but perhaps a main center of interest.

2) Leading lines, or some effect of depth, to pull the viewer into the image.

3) Excellent and/or unusual light.

4) Everything sharp and properly exposed–tripod, mirror-lock-up, appropriate f-stop.

5) Rich–or appropriate–tonal range if monochrome; rich, pleasing color palette if in color.

And, 6) Once you master these guidelines, learn when and how to deviate from them!

I still have a ways to go, but I think I’m very slowly plodding along in the right direction. After all, it is the journey, right?

A big part of the battle is getting yourself and your camera in front of an interesting, well-lit scene–which typically involves pre-dawn wakeups for in-the-dark hikes to a good sunrise site. Or, the reverse: in-the-dark hikes to return to the car in the dwindling twilight after leaving a primo sunset spot.

Really, just being out there–alive and drinking in the freshness of the moment–is reward enough. So, maybe the photography is just an excuse?